THE THREE-SIDED ADU
Location
University Hills, Los Angeles, CA
Project type
Renovation
Status
Plan Check
Year
2025
Located in University Hills, Los Angeles, this project tackles the extreme spatial challenge of converting a compact 16'-4" by 17'-0'' detached garage into a fully functioning, high-efficiency studio suite.
Because the existing structure directly borders the neighbor’s fence, one side was entirely locked out from exterior intervention. This constraint sparked the core architectural concept: The Three-Sided ADU. With only three facades available to design, every square inch of the exterior skin had to work twice as hard to bring light, character, and purpose to the compact footprint.
The primary design challenge was balancing high-density interior programming with an open, airy feel. The layout meticulously integrates a kitchenette, a walk-in closet, and a dual-purpose Murphy bed to maximize floor space. To prevent the small footprint from feeling confined, the three designed facades are strategically punctured with expansive openings. These apertures are precisely oriented to frame the panoramic Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) skyline, visually extending the living space outward and turning a modest garage conversion into a dramatic, view-oriented hillside retreat.
